Social Worker Level 1/2 - Forensic Mental Health

🧠 Shape recovery-focused care in a brand-new forensic mental health service

🤝 Join a multidisciplinary team from day one and make a lasting impact

🌱 Build your forensic social work career through innovation and development

Manage complex psychosocial needs, build recovery-focused pathways and support rehabilitation in a new low-secure forensic mental health service.

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 1 / Level 2 
Remuneration: $79,419 - $113,301 per annum
Hours Per Week: 38
Location: Blacktown

Where you'll be working
Located at Budyari Gilli, Blacktown Hospital, you’ll join the new 20-bed Low Secure Forensic Mental Health Inpatient Unit, opening 13 October 2026 as part of Western Sydney Local Health District’s expanding specialist mental health services.

This is a unique opportunity to join a service from the ground up and help shape its culture, model of care and patient experience from day one.

• Work within a contemporary forensic mental health service alongside the existing Budyari Gamada services.

• Deliver recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and evidence-based care to people with complex mental health needs within the forensic system.

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary workforce and partners across the Forensic Mental Health Network and Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.

• Contribute to a culture focused on education, research, innovation and continuous improvement.

• Be part of WSLHD, one of Australia’s most diverse and rapidly growing health districts, committed to delivering world-class mental health services.

What you'll be doing 
As a Social Worker Level 1/2, you’ll provide high-quality psychosocial assessment, intervention and care coordination for consumers experiencing complex mental health needs within the criminal justice system. Your practice will support rehabilitation, social inclusion, safe transitions and long-term recovery.

• Complete comprehensive psychosocial and risk assessments and develop collaborative, recovery-focused care plans.

• Deliver evidence-based interventions including counselling, crisis intervention, advocacy, family work, case coordination and practical support.

• Work closely with consumers, families, carers and multidisciplinary teams through clinical reviews, case conferences, care planning and discharge planning.

• Provide high-quality clinical documentation, reports, consultation and support across complex forensic mental health presentations.

• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, evaluation, student supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

Make a difference where it matters most

Bring your social work expertise, compassion and commitment to recovery and help shape the future of forensic mental health care in Western Sydney. Join Western Sydney Local Health District and be part of a team creating better health services for western Sydney and beyond. Apply now and help build a new service from day one.

How to Apply 
Apply online by submitting your resume and addressing the criteria listed below by providing examples that demonstrate your ability before the closing date.

Essential Requirements:

Degree in Social Work or Masters in Social Work with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) 
 

Selection Criteria:

1. Qualifications in Bachelor of Social Work or Masters in Social Work and eligibility to be a member of AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers)

2. Demonstrated knowledge of mental health, forensic and criminal justice systems

3. Demonstrated high level clinical skills and competency in care planning, care coordination, crisis intervention, psychosocial assessments, risk assessments and discharge planning.

4. Ability to work effectively with mental health consumers presenting with complex needs, challenging behaviours and forensic risk factors

5. Demonstrated experience in completing comprehensive assessments, clinical documentation and report writing skills

6. Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

7. Demonstrated commitment with quality improvement projects and evidence-based practice

8. Current unrestricted drivers licence valid in NSW

Requisition ID: REQ690155 
Applications Close: 14th September 2026  

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